[7t4mula]

And I was charged with removing a broken fender bolt, seeing I was the guilty party there!

[Gator67]

I understand that you're trying to catch everyone up on your cool project, but exactly how far along you? The reason I ask is that folks might not chip in with ideas/suggestions about something if you're already beyond the point in the project where their input might be helpful.

[7t4mula]

Originally Posted by Gator67

I understand that you're trying to catch everyone up on your cool project, but exactly how far along you? The reason I ask is that folks might not chip in with ideas/suggestions about something if you're already beyond the point in the project where their input might be helpful.

Very good point Gator67! I had posted a recent pic on “Let's see those pictures of '70 - '73 birds“ and it was suggested I start a build thread… forgot everyone else may not have seen this.

Body & paint are all complete, engine is built & almost ready to drop in. Working on fuel & brake lines soon here.

Interior work has started… just finished upholstery of buckets and carpet has arrived!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Current picture from the other thread.
It actually looks like it could pass for a Verdoro Green variant.

[7t4mula]

I would say it’s similar, but perhaps a hint more of bronze metallic hue to it?
Here’s the color chip that sold me that day at the paint shop! I also chose to go with satin bronze powdercoating on the wheels and other components (like grille surrounds) for accents. Turned out great I think!

[7t4mula]

The next pictures are from return from sand blast with subframe and rear axles. So incredibly clean!

Gotta get em costed quick, before they start to rust! Off to the paint booth we go!

[7t4mula]

Jeff had made amazing progress already, having the underbody coated in satin chassis black and the trunk sprayed with textured black coating.

Busy spray booth there for sure!

[7t4mula]

Now things are starting to happen in my garage again also! Got the 12bolt back from rebuild, new posi unit with 3:73 gears! I don’t know if the dog was more exited than me? LOL

Nice to be able to blast and paint dozens of misc brackets, components and bolts for this as well! Helps keep costs down and makes you feel good about having a hand in it at the same time…

Decided to go with an aftermarket front valance, original had a load of bondo from kissing parking barriers I’m sure!

[7t4mula]

I bought a Willwood 4 wheel disc setup and it was pretty cool having that arrive! Feeling like Christmas again in Spring at this point!

I didn’t realize I had to modify the stock spindle units to mount calipers, but I made it work. Felt very fortunate to have guys back at the shop gladly step up, even after I’d retired from there! I mounted the units on wooden blocks to keep things square and make for safer cutting in bandsaw. I’ll follow soon with that assembly process with the new RideTech suspension system went with.

[7t4mula]

Time for some serious suspension upgrades here! I purchased this package from RideTech and can’t wait to bolt it up to the subframe!

Started with the rear axle setup first. New Eaton springs and shackle/bushing kit from Energy Suspension.

[7t4mula]

These new control arms fit great and looked fantastic! Not really too difficult at all to do this assembly.

Started assembly of steering as well, but was still waiting for backordered Center link from Ride Tech. Mounted the new Borgeson steering box.

[7t4mula]

The new Willwood, six piston front calipers and four piston rear calipers really looked amazing on there! I thought I was going to get shiny zinc coated rotors according to the catalog, but I actually really liked the look of these black ones!

You can see the area on the back of the front spindle that need to be modified in the third picture. They fit perfect!

Couldn’t admire them for too long, needed to break this down to be able to get the steel wheels back on there and roll them back on the trailer. The big front rotors especially were real close to the inside dia of that rim! Off to the paint shop to mount them back up on the chassis! Yes!

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Cool stuff .
Your dog seems to have a lot of enthusiasm about the project too.
Always good to have some family support.

[7t4mula]

Absolutely Baron! That hound is always hanging with me in the garage, sniffing around to see how things are going!

I cannot say enough for the family support on this project, my wife has often chipped in with me when I need an extra hand to hold something in place and that will come to light as I go through this. My grandson’s are beginning to get very excited about this coming together as well.

[7t4mula]

Now it’s time to pick this Bird up off the perch and get her back on four wheels! So nice having a great lift like this to get everything in position.

[7t4mula]

Unbelievable, how bad a couple of the subframe bolts had rotted with water, apparently trapped around them in the bushing. Thankfully, all new hardware and bushing kit firmed that all up.

Bolt up the rear axle and springs and we’re ready to roll! Pretty cool to have it back together again and pushing it through the shop. Back on the casters and into the booth, to get set to mask and bag to get set for priming.

[Tommo99]

Hi there, im just starting a rebuild on same car here in New Zealand, where did you guy your valance? are you happy with the quality?

[7t4mula]

That cool! They are such great cars!

I’ll have to look when I get home, out of town for the weekend. I think it was Ames or perhaps Classic Industries.
Yes, very happy with the quality.

[Tommo99]

Thankyou, i will follow your thread for sure!

[7t4mula]

About this time I was starting to finally crack into this 400 motor that I’d originally built back in the early 80s, it’d been sitting on a stand in the garage collecting dust since I pulled it from my ‘73 Formula about 20 years back!

It didn’t look bad at all, just needed some TLC. Time to tear it down and send to the shop for hot-tank and refresh. It had next to no miles in its original project home. That vehicle was just too badly rusted to finish restoring reasonably.